Peru and Machu Picchu Foodie Spiritual Adventure Tour 2023 (Successfully completed!)

Dates: April 29th to May 9th, 2023, (11 days)
Optional add-on: Foodie Adventure in Lima: April 26th to 29th

Pick up and drop off in Lima, Peru (LIM)

There is a reason you are reading this. A few years ago, we traveled to Peru and visited the iconic site of Machu Picchu. We expected it to be amazing but were not fully prepared for the overwhelming sense of awe and spiritual connection we experienced. We realized we had only scratched the surface of all the treasures in the magnificent Andes, and the beautiful people that embody one of the most spiritually rich cultures in the world. We vowed to return someday.

In the Spring of 2022, we partnered with a Peruvian guide, Washington (Washi) Gibaja, who is a community leader and a native of Ollantaytambo, one of the many Inca archeological sites that contribute to the richness of the Sacred Valley

Washi has been a professional guide for his entire life, a photographer, and a board member of the non-profit, Path of the Heart – providing food, clothing, education, and necessities to indigent children and families in the sacred valley region and surrounding communities. In a beautiful full circle, Washi was helped by the organization as a child and now serves on its leadership team.

Our past Spring adventure with Washi and his team was so successful and enriching that we were already dreaming and planning our return to Peru with him before we boarded the plane home! We can't wait to share this experience with a new group of open-minded travelers. So that is why you are here, reading this now.

We call this a Foodie Spiritual Adventure Tour, however, we are not going to evangelize in any way. Everyone, of any faith or belief, is welcome. Our intention is to travel with open minds, learn about the rich and ancient culture of the people of the Sacred Valley, and connect with them as fellow humans. Who knows, maybe we'll find ways to enhance our own Spiritual growth too?

Tour highlights:

• An active adventure with lots of walking/hiking. Options will be available for less-able persons (horseback, shuttle, etc.) but a good state of health is important. We'll spend much of our time at higher altitudes. (Cusco is at 11,000 ft. and Machu Picchu at 8000 ft.)
  
• Led by professional Peruvian guides, Medicine Masters, and your hosts, Kevin & Clare Kubota.
• Gastronomical delights! Lima is a foodie's bucket list spot and has been named the #1 Culinary Destination in the world, for 5 years running.
• Visits to non-touristy villages, shamans, and families where we can learn about the culture first-hand.
• One night of camping in the Sacred Valley (all gear provided).
• VOLUNTOURISM and options to donate supplies and gifts if desired.
• Meditation and Sacred ceremonies (Medicine plant use is not part of our tour)
• Visits to Lima, Cusco, Black Lake, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, and of course, Machu Picchu.

ITINERARY

Sacred Peru Tour 2023

Dates of travel (April 29th to May 9th, 2023, 11 days)

See the end of this itinerary for the optional Foodie Adventure add-on for April 26th - 29th in Lima! This is an exceptional city tour and foodie experience in one of the TOP food destinations in the world – Lima, Peru. 

Guide: Washington/Rogelio Gibaja Tapia and other local guides. 

(Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Vertical Lodge)

DAY 1 (4/29/2023) ARRIVE LIMA: Usually, you will arrive at Lima airport around midnight. Our staff and guides will take you to the hotel for an overnight in Lima. Dinner on your own (usually on the plane.) Welcome to Peru, we will provide bottled water upon arrival. Accommodation at: Costa del Sol at Lima airport.

DAY 2 (4/30/2023) LIMA - CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY: After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll go to Lima airport for our flight to Cusco. When we arrive in Cusco we’ll drive through the snowcapped Andes mountains to the legendary Sacred Valley, as majestic today as it was during the reign of the Incas. We’ll stop for a short tour at Awana Cancha weaving textile center. This private company works with native communities to make them self-sufficient by sharing their ancient ways of weaving and processing the alpaca wool. Then we will stop for lunch in Pisac and visit the town textile market. You will see Inca terracing that climbs the steep valley walls and the beautiful temples of Pisac which inspire panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains. Here we will perform a ceremony with our guides to welcome us to the Sacred Valley. We will then head to our hotel in the beautiful town of Ollantaytambo, the hometown of our guides Washi & Rocker. Dinner will be on your own. There are several restaurants within walking distance of our hotel or you can enjoy a meal that the hotel restaurant. Hotel - Pakaritampu (B, L)  

Note: The Sacred Valley is at about 8,000 ft, much lower than Cusco which is 11,000 ft. We begin our tour here we can more gradually adjust to the altitude.

DAY 3 (5/1/2023) MORAY, SALT MINES, AND DINING AT A HISTORICAL HACIENDA: After breakfast, we will visit the circular terraces of Moray - the Navel of the Earth. At this sacred site we will feel the connection with the three worlds represented by the Condor, Puma, and Snake, sacred animals of the Incas. We will also visit an amazing salt flats operation. For those who want to hike there is an opportunity to hike down into the valley for a while and meet up with the bus further down the road. We’ll enjoy a buffet at Hacienda Tunupa restaurant along the Urubamba river. Dinner will be on your own if you are still hungry ; ). Hotel -  Pakaritampu (B, L)

DAY 4 (5/2/2023) SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS & VOLUNTOURISM: After our breakfast, we will walk to the Ollantaytambo ruins which include an impressive Inca fortress with beautiful Inca princess baths, pink granite temples, pyramids, etc. After this magical experience, we will travel to a native community to experience “voluntarism”, the giving back aspect in the Sacred Valley. There are a variety of opportunities to really get to know the locals and share your heart, love & sacred gifts with these hard-working, beautiful people. Depending on what the needs are in the community when we visit, here are some possible ways we will contribute:

1. Bring chickens and pigs for the families. 
2. Share hot chocolate and Vizcocho bread with all the children and the gifts that you brought.
3. Let us know if you have other ideas.

We promise that you will be inspired and full of gratitude at the end of this day! Lunch and Dinner included. Hotel -  Pakaritampu (B, L, D)

DAY 5 (5/3/2023) WELCOME TO VERTICAL SKY LUXURY SUITES: After breakfast, you’ll have the choice of hiking or driving from our Ollantaytambo hotel to our next mountaintop accommodations, the Vertical Sky Luxury Suites. After we check in we’ll have lunch at Kuntur restaurant, part of the Vertical Sky Resort. On the way up to the restaurant, we’ll tour their organic garden. You will also be rewarded with incredible views of the Sacred Valley and the snowcapped mountain Veronica (Sacred Tears). More adventure awaits for those interested - Via Ferrata, a suspension bridge, rappelling, and a zip-line ride! If that sounds like too much adrenaline for you, you can hang out at the garden or bar and soak in the amazing view of the valley and majestic Andes mountain range. Hotel - Vertical Sky Suites

DAY 6 (5/4/2023) BLACK LAKE HIKE: Enjoy breakfast on your private balcony with a view of the snowcapped mountain Veronica. We’ll then meet our guides who will bring some small native trees for us to plant and gift to Pachamama (Mother Earth) while we hike most of the day to Black Lake. Our personal chef will prepare an amazing lunch for us to enjoy in the mountains. We’ll then return to the valley for a night of camping under the stars. Our guides and chef will make sure we are well-fed and comfortable.  - Tent 😁 (B, L, D)

DAY 7 (5/5/2023) SACRED VALLEY AND HIKE TO MANDOR WATERFALL: We’ll take the morning train to Aguas Calientes town located below the sacred Machu Picchu. After checking in to our hotel we’ll begin our hike to the waterfalls of Mandor, with our guide and shaman. Here we will learn more about “Madre Tierra” (Mother Earth) as seen through the eyes of the indigenous people of this region and experience a sacred ritual to connect with that earth energy and a group teaching/meditation with the sacred water. Our guide and Shaman "Rocker" will do an offering to the water or Despacho. This location was very powerful to the Incas. You will feel the energy of the Machu Picchu site and be cleansed before we enter the sacred site the next morning. We will hike back to our hotel and enjoy dinner in the town. Hotel - Tierra Viva Hotel  (B, L, D) 

DAY 8 (5/6/2023) MACHU PICCHU SACRED SITE: Early this morning we will meet our guides, take the bus or those that are up for it –hike, to enter the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Our guides will take us on an amazing journey through this spiritual place and show us all the power the Incas put into this location and its structures. We’ll return to Aguas Clients for a celebratory lunch and to soak in the hot springs. Hotel - Tierra Viva Hotel (B, L)

DAY 9 (5/7/2023) MORE EXPLORING OF MACHU PICCHU THEN CHINCHEROS TEXTILE MARKET AND RETURN TO CUSCO: Early this morning we’ll return to Machu Picchu to explore the SunGate, Inca Bridge, or Huayna Picchu. You can then relax on our train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we will meet our private driver and travel to the Chincheros Market. This traditional weaving community is known for its impressive textile works and artisan products. The local artisans will give you an introduction to their handy work including their processes for shearing, dyeing, spooling, and weaving from alpaca. Take advantage of last-minute shopping before we get to Cusco and check into our hotel in the center of town. Dinner will be on your own at the hotel or one of the delicious nearby restaurants. Hotel -  Antigua Cusco (B, L)

DAY 10 (5/8/2023) TOUR CUSCO CITY AND SURROUNDS RUINS: Today we will learn about the region’s rich cultural history. We will start with a tour of the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the Inca’s Temple of the Sun. Then we will visit the restaurant of the Universal Heart non-profit, www.pathoftheheart.org, to serve lunch and meet the children it serves. In the afternoon we will visit the significant Inca ruins near Cusco: the mammoth fortress of Saqsayhuaman above the city, noted for its megalithic stone terraces, Kenko with its distinctive zig–zag–patterned carved stone and subterranean altars, the hillside outpost of Puka Pukara, a small fortress that formerly protected the royal sacred capital of the Incas, and the Tambo Machay water temple that served as royal baths. Dinner will be on your own. Hotel - Antigua Cusco (B, L)

DAY 11 (5/9/2023) FREE DAY IN CUSCO THEN FLY BACK TO LIMA FOR OUR FLIGHTS HOME: After breakfast today you can enjoy Cusco on your own. Stroll through the cobblestone streets, poke your head into galleries and meet artists and artisans before you stop for a café on the Plaza de Armas or in the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas. We’ll have lunch together and see what else there is time for us to fit in before we head to the Cusco airport for our flight to Lima and then connecting flight home. (B, L)

Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

*Please note that exact pick up times and tour start times will be reconfirmed daily with your local guides and Shamans.

HOTELS: Are listed for each day, and you can get more information by visiting their web page; all of them have Wi-Fi in the rooms. 

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

1. In-country flights (Lima – Cusco, Cusco – Lima) and airport taxes. 
2. Private ground transportation for the entire trip. 
3. Beautiful hotels.
4. Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley sites, Cusco, all sites listed, and museums.
5. Tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads for camping. 
6. Professional cook for our night camping.
7. All breakfasts, lunches, and some dinners. (Vegetarian option available)
8. One beverage for each meal and restaurant tips. 
9. Shaman-trained guides.
10. Train fare for the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.  
11. Bus to Machu Picchu round trip.
12. Donation to Andes villagers.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare. 
• Some dinners. 
• Extra beverages. 
• Some tips. (guides, private cooks, drivers) 

 

Foodie Adventure Add-on in Lima (4/26 - 4/29):

This 3-day extension at the beginning of the tour will seamlessly integrate with our main tour, and delight you with a stay in a colonial-style mansion and some of the most amazing food experiences in the world. Don't miss it!

DAY 1 (4/26/2023) ARRIVE IN LIMA - Welcome to Peru! Today is your arrival day in Lima, Peru. Our driver and guide will pick you up at the airport and take you to our hotel in Lima. Our hotel, Casa Republica, is a boutique hotel in a unique 1920s mansion. It’s located in bohemian Barranco, one of Lima’s most vibrant districts known for art galleries, world-renowned restaurants, and beautiful coastline. If you arrive early in the day there is much to see within walking distance from our hotel. Meals are not provided today.

DAY2 (4/27/2023) WALKING FOOD TOUR THROUGH BARRANCO & DINNER AT LA NAUTICA - After breakfast at our hotel we will meet our guide for a walking tour to discover the authentic flavors of Peru´s world-famous cuisine. This historic and bohemian neighborhood is home to several taverns, markets, and street food vendors that preserve the rich traditions of Peruvian cuisine. Later this afternoon you'll have time on your own to explore the city, local markets, and enjoy the sunset over the ocean. 

Food Tour Highlights

1. Visit a beautiful park constructed in 1898.
2. Try the best ice cream in the old market.
3. Walk the market and try the unique fruits and vegetables.
4. Discover a local ceviche bar where we will taste 3 different dishes.
5. Enjoy a ceviche preparation demonstration.
6. Cross the Bridge of Sighs on our way to walk the old beach walkway and learn about Lima’s myths and traditions.
7. Taste traditional Peruvian dishes in a top-ranked restaurant.
8. Finish with a Pisco Sour, the cocktail of Peru!

Later tonight we will have dinner at this famous restaurant on the pier: La Rosa Nautica 

Hotel - Casa Republica (B, L, D)

DAY 3 (4/28/2023) LIMA CITY TOUR AND TASTING LUNCH AT KJOLLE - Today we will visit Larco Museum. It is one of the most important museums in South America. Here we will discover treasures from ancient Peru and visit the Huacapucllana ancient site. We will then do an afternoon tasting menu at Kjolle restaurant named after an Andean flower that grows high in the Andes. Kjolle has the pressure of being the young sibling restaurant to acclaimed sister restaurant Central, a three-time winner of Latin America’s best restaurant. Like its namesake, the first solo venture by Pía León (wife of Virgilio Martínez, owner of Central, where she was previously head chef) is made to bloom under difficult conditions. León was named Latin America’s best female chef just a couple of months after Kjolle opened in August 2018. Dishes revolve around making the best of Peru’s bounty of ingredients. Hotel - Casa Republica (B, L)

Kjolle restaurant.

DAY 4 (4/29/2023) GOLD MUSEUM, MARKET TOUR, AND COOKING LESSON IN THE HOME OF A LOCAL CHEF - Ancient Peruvians were master metalworkers. The “CIRE PERDUE” or lost wax process, known across Asia and lost in the west until the Renaissance, was the most frequent technique used by master ancient Peruvian gold and silversmiths. On our tour of Peru’s Gold Museum, we will appreciate a dazzling collection of gold artifacts from various pre-Colombian civilizations, some more than 3,000 years old. Metal pieces and jewelry of incalculable value used by the Incas—the children of the Sun God and monarchs of the vast Inca Empire—are shown in this collection. In the afternoon we will visit a family home where a local chef will teach us to prepare ceviche, causa rellena, and lomo saltado, typical dishes of this region, and pisco sours with Peruvian brandy. We’ll enjoy an early dinner at her house. Hotel -  Casa Republica (B, L, D)

DAY 5 (4/30) Join the rest of the group for the main tour. See itinerary at top of the page.

IMAGES

PRICE

Price:

Main Tour: $4500 per person, based on double occupancy. $5200 for singles with a private room.

Foodie Adventure add-on: $700 based on double occupancy. Single room: $750. (including 3 nights in a boutique hotel, foodie tour of Lima, a cooking lesson and lunch with a local chef, museums, and 2 amazing dining experiences).

Note: If you are single and open to sharing a room with a same-gender participant, we will do our best to pair you and offer the double-occupancy rate. Pairing is not always possible based on other participants, but we'll do our best!

You may reserve your spot now by paying the $1000/person deposit. We will contact you later for balance payment options.

A donation to Unity Community of Central Oregon and Path of the Heart will be made from any of our net proceeds :-)

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

1. Internal flights (Lima – Cusco, Cusco – Lima) and airport taxes.
2. Private ground transportation during the entire trip
3. Beautiful Hotels
4. Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco, all sites listed, and Museums.
5. Tent, Sleeping bags, mattress, and all camping equipment for camping night
6. Professional chef and support team for camping adventure
7. All breakfasts, 11 lunches. (Vegetarian option available)
8. Dinners as indicated on the itinerary
9. Shaman-trained Guide and 1 Native Shaman
10. Train fares (Vista Dome, Machu Picchu)
11. Bus to Machu Picchu round trip
12. Bottled water daily.
13. Donations for villagers and children that we personally deliver! (Farm animals, hot chocolada and special bread)

Not Included:

• International airfares.
• Some Dinners.
• Extra alcoholic beverages.
• Some tips. (standard tips for servers are included for ease)

 

Participant Cancellation:

We limit our adventures to small groups in order to provide the best, most intimate, and engaging experiences. Each person is an integral part of making our trip successful and affordable for all!

A reservation fee of $1000 per person is required to reserve your spot. The balance due is as follows:

• 120 days prior to departure – $1000 installment due.
• 60 days prior to departure – final balances due.

 

Initial reservation fees of $1000 are fully refundable for 7 days after payment if made more than 67 days prior to departure. Refunds cannot be guaranteed within 60 days of departure. If we can refill your canceled seat, we do our best to refund any recovered payments.

We make payments in advance to our guides to secure the best locations, booking options, prices, and experiences. Refunds from our vendors cannot always be collected when cancellations are made at the last minute, therefore we cannot guarantee refunds to our attendees within 60 days of departure.

Personal trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. We are happy to recommend providers we've used.

TESTIMONIALS

The beauty of this adventure is that it wasn’t about the adventure, but the connection. We experienced connection to so many of the aspects that define Perú such as: Inca culture and history, Peruvian cuisine, present time Peru through the cities, traditional Peru through smaller towns, nature, microclimates and so much more.

What made this experience so exceptional was the connection we formed with each other by exploring our inner spirituality with our guides who were more than tour guides, but spiritual shamans as well.  I enjoyed both the external exploration of the travel throughout Peru, and the inner exploration as we pushed ourselves past our comfort zones to try new things.  Our guides were very wonderful, knowledgeable and fun.

-Benita C., Peru 2022 Adventure


This was, indeed, a trip of a lifetime. Everything we experienced was carefully, professionally and compassionately mapped out.  Even the extra last-minute side trips (roof tile-making, bakery, pork soup restaurant) side trips were joyfully interspersed with the itinerary.  Clare and Kevin are perfect hosts - caring, accommodating, respectful, happy, patient, etc., etc., etc!  Our guides, Washi and his brother, Rogelio (Rocker),  were outstanding!  Even Washi's wife, Pammela joined us from time to time to support our travels.  So much knowledge to share, and as with Clare and Kevin, our guides were caring, accommodating, respectful, happy, patient, etc., etc., etc!  As an example, Washi's skill, knowledge and kindness were evident in his ability to give a few of us the confidence we needed to safely walk to the top of Rainbow Mountain in spite of the thin air.  Washi had us hold hands as if in a chain.   We walked 20 steps, rested and continued in this manner to the top of the mountain - altitude 16,313!  What a sense of accomplishment!  As promised we were introduced to fabulous foods above and beyond expectations (well, maybe not the cuya😳).  The spiritual aspect of this journey was life-changing. Our time with our Shamans, the local people and the entire experience stirred my soul. I will be forever changed (in a good way).  Difficult to put into words.  You just have to experience the magic of this adventure for yourself to get the full beautiful impact.  Would I travel again with Kevin, Clare, Washi, Rocker, and Pammela again??? Yes - to the ends of the earth!!!

-Lorraine S., Peru 2022 Adventure

THE TEAM

Kevin & Clare Kubota

Aloha! We have been leading workshops and tours around the world since 2001 when I, Kevin, was asked to teach my first International photography workshop in Italy. Ever since then, the love of sharing our travel experiences with others has been an inspirational piece of why we do what we do. I've been a professional photographer for over 30 years and have taught photography workshops since 1998. Clare is our "Queen Bee", who joyfully and eloquently manages our team, co-leads our tours, and inspires me, and many others, with her zest for life and love for rich connection with people.

We have led travel experiences in Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand, Brasil, Italy, Hawaii, and Bolivia. We have also traveled and taught photography courses in many more places nationally and internationally.

We know one thing to be true: traveling with an open mind and open heart leads to amazing experiences and profound personal growth. We call this the "Traveller's Mindset" – where you allow yourself to be open to meeting new people, trying new things, and seeing life from a different perspective. You do more than allow, however, you take the first steps. You take the initiative to say "hello", ask to try, and listen more than you talk.

Inevitably, when you bring your Traveller's Mindset home to your own community, you find treasures in your backyard.

We were VERY excited to have made a connection and friend in Washi, our Peruvian guide. His kind and gentle heart, compassionate spirit, and love of sharing his culture made an immediate impression on us. We are truly excited to share this adventure with him.

 

Washington (Washi) Gibaja (our Peruvian guide)

I was born in Ollantaytambo, (10-06-82) on the Axis between Machu Picchu and Cusco. Ever since my childhood, I have dedicated myself as a guide to the sacred archeological site where I was born. Today I am also a professional guide (Tour Leader), photographer, partner for Buen Power Peru SAC for bringing Solar lights to remote communities, student for the law, etc.

Thanks to this work, I have had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world to do spiritual treatments, expositions, and conferences – taking the message of the heart towards the mind, and all about Peru and the ancient sites also the prophecy, union of the Condor and the Eagle. As well as to meet people and sacred places with magical energy. Like Desmond Tutu, Mark Victor Hansen (writer of the book chicken soup for the soul), the king of Indonesia, etc.

I drew inspiration for many book that I am author of from my first book “Wisdom and Kindness of the Pachamama”, Second book, the Magic of Machi Picchu, The Origin of the Incas and Their Medicine and JOURNEY THROUGH THE INCA CITY OF MACHU PICCHU, Spiritual, Political and Financial Freedom, with the intention to share and extend a little of the knowledge and wisdom of my ancestors, towards you. In addition, with the sale of this book, 15% of all proceeds will go to create efficient projects in the future to help the less lucky families in the Andes.

Also In Partnership With www.magicaltoursperu.com, www.be-a-bridge.com, www.pathoftheheart.com, Buen Power Perú, USAID, Multiple Organizations, and Private Donors I have been part of:

- Installing in 11,000 homes with solar panels or photovoltaic modules so that 55,000 people have Access to Light.

- 20 years in a row with 900,000 meals served to date, for the less fortunate children and families of the Andes.

- 104,000 Hot Chocolates, Cake and gifts to Boys and Girls at Christmas in the Sacred Valley.

- 3000 units of equipment (Coats, Shoes - Boots, Pants, Caps, Gloves, Stockings, etc.) for Vulnerable Boys and Girls and protect them from the cruel cold, etc.

- 5,000 food package delivered on this Covid19 world emergency to the needy families.

Today I live in Ollantaytambo, married to a wonderful woman name Pammela and have Two beautiful daughters named Victoria Alejandra and Helene Rose, the source of my daily inspiration. I have plans to continue writing, Guiding, and proving service while I can still here on this great planet.

 

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